The Fallout: Punishments

"Can't drink? Fuck that!"

Harvey grimaced while glancing over at Clive. I probably should've left him out of this meeting. The tension between him and Fred is growing faster of late, but Dalton isn't here yet to back me up. Looking for support, he checked over at Larry. Immediately, Harvey noticed his absentminded friend squinting. Diagnosed with farsightedness back in early grade school, the history professor often forgot to wear his eyeglasses when he wasn't reading.

"Uh, Larry," Harvey said. Then, after catching his attention, he tapped his face.

"Oh, right, right. My glasses. Hmm, now where did I leave...aha! Found them."

"Look, we're not saying that you can't drink it," Harvey began again.

"Yes, we are," Clive butted in.

"No, we aren't. We just want you to wait until after the ceremony to start. And I think everyone would feel better if you took it easy," Harvey eased in with their concerns.

"What's everyone worried about? I'm not going to cause a scene," Fred chuckled. Surveying the room, he didn't find any of his friends chuckling along with him. "Besides, the ceremony is after dinner. A good meal requires a drink."

"Drink juice, soda, or water. Just don't ruin this event," Clive responded.

"All we want is for this to go smoothly in Cassie's honor," Harvey jumped in as Fred scowled at their friend. "Think of her parents, Sander and his family, and Finn."

"Yeah, think of your son. You know, the one who had to spend the tenth anniversary of his mom's **** searching for you all around town. And that's after you attempted some fucked up suicide," Clive launched his series of complaints, emphasizing the word son.

"Always so judgmental, aren't you?" Fred spat back.

"Who wouldn't be with your behavior? Finn doesn't need you adding to his misery. Think of your son."

"Stop saying son like that. He's mine, not yours. Never forget that!"

"I haven't forgotten that while helping raise him, consoling him when you don't show up, and teaching him not to be like you," Clive responded harshly.

"Excuse me. I don't believe there has ever been any question over Finley's parentage. Cassandra never struck me as that type of woman," Larry pointed out, appearing confused.

"What?" Fred questioned.

"No, no, Fred is Finn's biological father. They're just arguing over his being an absentee father," Harvey explained.

"Hey!"

"Oh, I see. Yes, I can understand Clive's point of view," Larry replied, nodding.

"If everyone wants to gang up on me, then fine. But I'm having a drink," Fred declared, standing up.

"Oh, come on!" Clive cried out.

Harvey sighed as Fred's face turned slightly surly. Although he noticed that Fred sat back down as well. However, both had assumed incorrectly that Clive's exclamation had been about Fred's drinking. It took them only a couple of seconds to notice the phone in his hand.

"Something wrong?"

"I'll say. That damn feud between Rachel and Carmella's families erupted again. There's been a slap and dresses pulled down," Clive informed as he jumped to his feet. "Dammit, those girls will be the **** of me if I don't wring their necks first. I gotta go!"

It took only a few seconds for Clive to leave the hotel room. Harvey lowered the hand that he'd raised to cut off whatever inappropriate comment that Fred likely opened his mouth to say. Surprisingly, it was Larry who spoke first.

"Forgive me if this sounds impolite. But aren't Rachel and Carmella a bit old to engage in such shenanigans?"

Fred broke into laughter while Harvey couldn't help but smile. Finally, the latter answered their old friend.

"No, it's Rachel and Carmella's daughters that are fighting downstairs."

"Ah, I believe that does make more sense," Larry admitted.

"Hot damn! I wonder whose dress got pulled down. Carmella's youngest has the bigger ones than her sister, but if I missed Lana...fuck, I've wanted to get my hands on those tits for like forever," Fred gushed. "So amazing."

"That is not amazing, Fredrick. It's against the law. You shouldn't leer at young teenagers," Larry scolded. "You've always had peculiar views, but this obsession can land you in jail. I suggest seeking help for these desires."

Fred spurted in disbelief while Harvey bit his lip. Watching as Fred's arms began to flail as he failed to get any words out, Harvey decided to step in.

"Lar, Lana isn't a young teenager any longer. Remember, she's in college at Zurbrugg."

"Ah, right. She's the one who's Finley's age. Didn't they attend a special dance together?"

"They dated for most of their senior year of high school."

"Of course. Silly me for forgetting that from last year."

"That was about three years ago. Finn, Lana, and Bridget's daughter are all juniors at Zurbrugg," Harvey reminded. Over by the bed, Fred shook his head in amazement.

"Oh, my. Time does fly, doesn't it?"

"Is everything okay? Has life been extra stressful lately?" Harvey inquired, thinking of the pending divorce from Kimberly. He also had a brief concern that Larry had learned of Kim's cheating.

"Possibly. Some colleagues say that finishing the last touches on their book can be stressful. I don't necessarily agree. However, the department has recommended that I take my sabbatical soon."

"That sounds like a great idea. We can plan a trip somewhere to celebrate the next chapter of your life," Harvey suggested swiftly. "Forget about Kimberly and meet new women."

"Oh! Yes, yes, the divorce."

"Oh, my gawd," Fred groaned at Larry's divorce slipping his mind.

"Oh, hell!" Harvey exclaimed as he read the message on his phone. "I gotta go."

"What is it now?"

"Willow has arrived."

---

"You are no longer one of the girls, got that? You're their coach and have to act like a grownup."

"Mom, Yumi was crying after they called her a traitor," Tuesday pointed out.

"Yumi is a wonderful girl, but she cries all the time. Console her after you de-escalate the situation," Tuesday suggested. "I've spent a little under two decades building a reputation solid enough that not one person objected to the hiring of my daughter as assistant coach. People could've raised questions. Particularly since you are only a first-year teacher."

"But I was also one of the best cheer captains in school history," Tuesday responded proudly.

"Your past doesn't matter. What matters is how you lead these girls. Can you imagine the trouble you'd be in if this had been a school event? It's actually worse, but at least you won't be reprimanded by the school administration."

"Please. As if Manske would write me up. He's too busy watching my ass every day in the hallways," Tuesday reminded about the school principal and his reputation.

"It's that attitude that causes me to wonder if I made a mistake. You probably needed more time to settle in as a teacher," Topaz criticized herself more than her daughter. "With that in mind, and considering the seriousness of this event, I asked Shelly and Cookie to deal with the graduates who engaged in this embarrassing debacle. Most would call Shelly the finest captain."

"At what? Throwing parties? Mom, I could've talked to the graduates. Most of them are my friends."

"That's precisely why I asked them. This is far past the talking stage. If those cheerleaders who misbehaved want to be included in alumni events, they need to accept any punishments issued. Shelly and Cookie have dealt with this stuff in the past. So, they'll make the appropriate call," Topaz explained. In particular, she recalled the disciplinary action taken when Bridget and Tinsley took advantage of their new head coach. "Besides, you have your own responsibilities. Where are your charges?"

As the assistant cheer coach, Tuesday also served as head coach for the junior varsity squad. While Topaz usually lent a hand with those duties, tradition also brought back guest coaches during the summers to help the new cheer crop get up to speed. Topaz's initial concerns about her daughter's fitness as a coach first arose during that period last summer.

"The Babybees are over there taking care of Sean," Tuesday informed, waving her hand in their general direction.

"Why are they doing that?" her mother questioned.

"Whitney probably ordered them to do so. Why?" Tuesday challenged at seeing the look on her mom's face. "What's wrong with that? I used to order the Babybees around all the time when I was varsity captain."

"Those girls are your responsibility. You should be watching out for them. Remember what I always say. Being a cheer coach is not an extra paycheck for several hours of work a week. It's about being--"

"A mentor to young girls. Yeah, Mom, I know that by heart. I grew up watching you coach for almost my whole life. Hell, I've witnessed so much that I could handle head coach duties."

"Not with that cocky attitude. Watching is not the same as doing," Topaz replied before sighing. "Look, honey, I think you have what it takes, but you are farther away than I thought. Perhaps I can get permission for an extra paid assistant coach for this summer's practices. I can't ask a volunteer to sacrifice too much of their time."

"Mom, I can handle my duties," Tuesday whined. "Besides, the Sugarbees would pitch a fit if we got an extra coach, even if it was only for the summer.

"Wanda won't complain if the alumni association pays the salary instead of the school," Topaz stated confidently. "Rachel and I have already discussed your former co-captain, Maggie McSweeney. She's teaching at Rachel's school and could use the experience if we can convince her to coach one of the junior high squads in the future."

"Oh, I'm cool if it's Maggie."

"And she is more responsible than you." Topaz ignored her daughter's glare. "I think we will need an extra hand, no matter what."

"Is this about your bad feeling?"

"Yes. There are too many factions on these two squads. I worry about the upcoming elections and the girls accepting them." Topaz's face showed her deep concern. "Losing two girls so late last summer didn't help either."

"Yumi and Rory have worked out well."

"Yes, Yumi has been great. Rory...well, I wished we had chosen a junior after adding Yumi in the place of the one we lost. Having seven seniors is highly unusual. Aurora's a wonderful girl and a legacy, but she's too distracted by her other interests." Topaz sighed. "I think I regret Amberly moving to Blackbridge more than anything. She'd been in line as an officer since seventh grade. Caterina filling that slot instead hasn't helped with squad cohesiveness."

"Yeah, I know. Are we done here?"

"Not even close. You will come with me to issue the punishments for the varsity squad members," Topaz directed. "Except for Lacey. Rachel is going to handle her daughter. And while we do that, you'd better think of a damn good way to apologize to Finn for helping distract from the purpose of tonight."

"So that's it?"

"And your primary punishment will be to stick like glue to the Babybees for all next semester."

---

"Think about how Finn must be feeling right now."

Rachel's suggestion caused her youngest daughter to throw her arms on the table with her head following next. Muffled sobs came next from Lacey. Lana squirmed uncomfortably at the picture painted by her mother, while Cadence merely shrugged at her aunt's point.

"And I know that you three remember Cassandra's storytime readings. You'd get so excited when I took you to those Saturday events at the library as little girls," Carmella reminded her daughters and her cousin's daughter. "I vividly recall my girls wishing they could have her as their teacher."

The scolding scene took place at a round, eight-person table in the back corner of the ballroom. Lana, Lacey, and Cadence were seated on one side, while the other portion held Teresa, Bianca, and Izzy. The two moms stood near their family members, with a young man occupying the seventh seat. The farthest table from the stage, the girls assumed the spot had been picked for privacy. They were about to learn the problem with assumptions.

"Carmella and I have discussed the proper penalties for your actions. We both agree that what you did calls for some tonight with more to follow at home," Rachel stated, earning a nod from her longtime rival. "You three will now consider this your table for the rest of tonight."

"What?!" Lacey's tear-streaked face shot up from its hiding place.

"Y-You can't be serious, Mom. We're out in the fucking boonies here," Lana exclaimed.

"Not me. Only my mom can tell me what to do," Cadence proclaimed in defiance.

"Cynthia might be my older sister, but I call the shots when dealing with this behavior," Rachel declared.

"Doubtful," the sixteen-year-old muttered.

"If you doubt me, young lady---and the same goes for my daughters, I'll tell you why this punishment is happening," Rachel began, jabbing her finger in the direction of the three. "My parents will be here soon, and you're damn lucky they are running late. If they had seen what you did to Cassie's night..."

"Grandma and Grandpa McCracken are going to be so disappointed in us," Lacey cried. Lana nodded in agreement, with Cadence gulping at the forthcoming looks of dismay.

"And wipe those smiles off your faces," Carmella ordered her brood. "The same deal goes for you three. This is now your table."

"What?!"

"Mom!"

"I won't do it," Izzy declared, standing up.

"Sit your ass back down," Carmella commanded. "There will be no running to your mother for help. I hold all the cards with her, so I'm calling the shots. Don't believe me? Well, I know plenty of my cousin's secrets that she won't want divulged. So sit!"

"Unless you need to use the bathroom...well, we have to let them do that," Rachel said, looking at Carmella's face. "You will not leave this table. That goes for the rest of the reception, which is almost over, the dinner, and finally, the ceremony. Once the dancing begins, then you can get up."

The moans and groans caused Carmella to shoot all six young women a glare.

"I'd consider yourself fortunate that we had a volunteer for your chaperone," Rachel revealed, nodding to Clive's nephew, Cormac Trimble. "Cormac is in charge, and you will do as he says."

"Ooh, Cormac can order me to do whatever he desires," Izzy spoke before her cousins had a chance.

A twenty-three-year-old law student, Cormac had dirty blond hair, brown eyes, and a dashing, handsome face to go along with a chiseled physique. All traits that the other side of the feud had long noticed. Thus, Izzy's comment, along with the batting eyelashes of the two Zuccaro sisters, didn't sit well with the Stratton girls.

"Don't even think about it, Slutzarro," Lana warned, leaning over the table.

"Try to steal my boyfriend? I slapped you. Try to sleep with my cousin? I'll break your nose," Lacey vowed to Bianca.

"Stop that right now, girls!" Rachel ordered. Thinking fast on her feet, she spotted the remaining empty seat. "And I will have another chaperone to help Cormac manage you."

"Actually, I have a suggestion, Aunt Rachel. I think we should alternate each girl. Having two opposing sides is a bad idea. Sitting next to one another will **** them to get along," Cormac voiced his idea.

"Cor!" Lana complained.

"Excellent idea," Carmella agreed. "Let's make sure that Bianca and Lacey sit next to one another. The same goes for Teresa and Lana."

"Well? Get moving!" Rachel gestured for the girls to rearrange their seats. Once done, the two mothers walked away.

"Who do you have in mind for the other chaperone?" Carmella asked.

"No clue."

"Well, it should be someone with a forceful personality or competition for your handsome cousin. My, my, isn't he something?"

"Why, Carmella! You're a happily married woman," Rachel tittered.

"Fantasizing isn't cheating," the ex-Sugarbee captain responded with a smirk. "Now, you need to control your daughters better."

"My daughters? What about yours?"

"Lacey started this by slapping Bianca."

"It sounds like your daughter was dry-humping her boyfriend."

"Lacey needs to learn self-control. You never once slapped me for all the boyfriends and dates of yours that I flirted with," Carmella reminded.

"I should've when we were sixteen at the Honey Harvest festival. You ruined my chance with Jack Foscue on purpose," Rachel complained.

"Shit, I wasn't trying to ruin your shot. I wanted mine," Carmella clarified. "Already nineteen and grown women creamed themselves over what he could do with his magic cock. Did you ever get to see it?"

"I just said that you ruined my chance."

"Eh, it's probably for the best. For both of us," Carmella admitted. "He might be great between the sheets, but he can't keep it inside his pants. Never married, but he's got what, two kids out of wedlock?"

"As far as we know," Rachel responded.

"Clive's a better catch in the long run. Besides, you got your **** when we were juniors."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play the denial game with me, Rach. I'm talking about the Shanty Point incident," Carmella said, referring to the local makeout spot. "I'm just lucky we didn't have camera phones back then, or there would be evidence of me running down the road buck naked."

"Whoa! That was not me. I swear!"

"Please. Bridget and Tinsley just happened to tell all the other Babybees to show up for the entertainment."

"Hey, that was all Gabby's idea. Although I didn't tell them not to do it," Rachel admitted with a smirk. "And Porter Jubb was not a guy--sorry, a twenty-one-year-old man--that you should've been messing around with."

"What can I say? That was my bad boy phase. Everyone said that Porter had a python between his legs. So imagine why I freaked out to find an actual snake in the backseat with us," Carmella recounted with a shudder.

"I'm pretty sure that Tinny came up with that idea," Rachel revealed.

"Call me shocked."

"And I'd call yourself lucky that they screwed up your date before you got fucked. Bad boy phase? Try the recruitment phase. Everyone knows how Porter sets up the girls who eventually end up stripping at The Beehive. You should be thanking me."

"Actually, I will thank you, or I should thank those brats," Carmella said, surprising Rachel. "Benny refused to see me as anything but a close family friend. The little girl who tagged along behind him while growing up. Hearing that I went out with a scumbag like Porter spurred him into admitting his feelings. That's when I learned to use his jealousy as well."

"Of course you did," Rachel said, rolling her eyes. Then, spotting Clive, she nodded at Carmella before she started to walk away.

"Make sure you select the right second chaperone, bimbo," the Zuccaro MILF emphasized.

"I'm more worried about making this all up to Finn, harlot," the Strattons' hot mom replied.

"Yeah, poor kid. I'd better think of something too."